Not losing the human touch

2011-01-10T10:22:00.000-08:00

When I grew up, I never thought I would be a software engineer. I didn’t even know what that meant. It was always the wish to be one among the ‘Puk eengba, gyan taba, leirik laishu heiba and thabak touba’ that occupied my mind during growing up years. In my quest to become one, I would day-dream to become a pilot. I thought a pilot looked real cool and most girls would fall for him. After some deliberations, I guessed it was just a driver’s job. I wanted something more intellectual.

**'Puk eengba, gyan taba, leirik laishu heiba and thabak touba' is Manipuri saying meaning 'Cool and Calm Headed, Understanding , learned man with a job (govt.) '

Then this one time I dreamed day in, day out that I wanted to be scientist who would accidentally invent the time machine.Blame it on the many comics I used to read. But the next moment I wanted to become an astronaut and travel in space instead of time. The former seemed much safer anyway.

After all my youthful meanderings came a time for choosing. Finishing Class 12 made me even more confused. By then I decided one thing — to do something that required intellect and creativity. I had two choices: to pursue BA in English and become a reclusive writer or to become a ‘compooter engineer’. The later looked promising and less risky in my time. I still wonder whether I made the right decision.Some things are best left unanswered.

In the beginning

Well, during my college days in Bangalore, the word ‘software engineer’ created a lot of buzz. Everyone wanted to be a software engineer. It sounded like an alien spaceship to me, one that could make my childhood astronaut dream come true. But after gathering some information, it was more like a passport to the US than my spaceship dream.Eventually, I joined Infosys, one of the shining stars of the Indian information technology story, and thus I became a ‘software engineer’. The first day was electrifying, sending shivers of joy and I almost believed that I had set my left foot on US soil. The company gave me an identity card that I wore everywhere to show who I was. I even showed it to an autorickshaw driver, with a big smile on my face of course. Every time I wore the ID card, it gave me superhuman strength and my chest exploded with pride.I guess everybody experiences this on his or her first job.

Now, what is this ‘software engineer’ shit about? After working in this field for eight years, the point is starting to dawn upon me. Searching for the answer has taken many cups of coffee.

Many terms are associated with software engineering — application developers,testers, project management, system architect, etc. The goal is to make a piece of electronic equipment come alive and respond intelligently to achieve something useful for us. For example, banking applications have replaced the old system of book-keeping. Mobile phone software is another good example.The software engineer is the interpreter between the hardware and the user.The engineer can instruct the hardware to behave in such a way that the user can enjoy several functionalities.

When I started out, I did a lot of ‘bug fixing’ — correcting defective parts in a software. Then I graduated to functionality development. I learned a little more about computers and programming.

Creativity counts

Then it clearly became what I had dreamed of — to use my intellect creatively for finding solutions to business problems. With experience I became a lead, and I got a team to develop a ‘module’. A module can be seen as a chunk of functionality within a product development environment.

Finally, I went to a few customers to implement the software we engineered. There it was nice to see the software in action.

Over time we were told to revamp the product architecture completely. I gladlyvolunteered and joined a team of architects to conceptualize the product architecture,design and write the framework to enforce it. Now I am trying to do an ‘Octopus Paul’or Business Intelligence in telecom with some talented team members.

The journey to become a ‘Puk eengba, gyan taba, leirik laishu heiba and thabaktouba’ person has been delightful and rewarding. After all I became a software engineer,a job that needs intellect and immense creativity. If you have the passion to express your creativity in application development space, you can create applications to change the way we do business.

Who would have imagined the power of Google or Facebook? You could be the nextstar, really.

Today, although I have stopped showing my identity card to autorickshaw drivers, mychest is filled with pride whenever I see a product with my touch going to the market.

Activities ...

2006-05-13T23:39:00.000-07:00

Current Book(s) - Head Rush Ajax
Last Movie - Chakde India
Current Passion -Photography, Travelling , Channel Architecture - evolving product architecture.
Interesting Lines.... DRY - Don't Repeat Yourself. [ A design principle] & KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid [ Another design guideline]

Interests:

One Manipur - a collective Endeavor towards Manipur, my native.
Home Page - trails and tribulations. a journey.
Saint Joseph's School Blog - a small effort to bring the small memoirs of the past behind.
Stories & Collections - small joys and heartfelt tears ...
Guest Books - Treasured lines...

Interesting Clips :
Kabui Kei-Oiba from Bhumenjoy

Home Renovation

2005-08-17T23:21:00.000-07:00

We always felt the need to do something about our house, me & my brother. With me it was something to do with the winter. It is specially cold in Imphal & with the ventilation and insulation not good, Dad would generally spend most of the time in bed. But due to monetary constraints & time, we could not do that. However, golden opportunity came when my brother went home for a long break. My brother is a Mumbai based architect. We decided to stretch our pocket so that we can renovate our house.

When I went home this time, I was in for a pleasant surprise. The house which didn't a proper room was well partitioned now. The living room done up well. A facelift has been given to the front part. Kitchen and dinning area are more organized. The toilet area is now more accessible. A small office space has been introduced in the previously small living area. Over all, a great feeling after seeing it.

Lots of sweat had gone into it from my brother's side overlooking every step.

And my father seem pleased with it, though he might not admit it.

I am particularly impressed with the living area. The false ceiling has been done with lots of effort as workman with the expertise are not readily available in Imphal as yet. Atleast 5 carpenters were tried, before finally getting the whole frame up.
Also 2 beautiful aquariums have been placed. It offered nice & relaxing sight when lounging on the sofa.

Ingudam's Corner

Not losing the human touch

Activities ...

Home Renovation